Avalanche Advisory

ARCHIVED ADVISORY - All advisories expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.

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The Bottom Line

There is a MODERATE avalanche danger on all aspects above 1,500' where triggering a large propagating slab avalanche 2-3' thick is possible and could have high consequences. In addition there are a handful of other avalanche concerns to be aware of including fresh shallow wind slabs, cornice fall and loose snow point releases. Also keep in mind that warming temperatures combined with periods of sun could make it easier to trigger a deeper instability on solar aspects.

Below 1,500' there is a LOW danger where triggering an avalanche is unlikely due to a snowpack consisting of hard crusts.

In Summit Lake, Girdwood, and near Johnson Pass triggering a deeper more dangerous avalanche near the ground is still possible but will be hard to trigger. If headed to Summit Lake please check out the weakly summary HERE.

Show the Complete North American Avalanche Danger Scale

North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale

Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.

Danger Level

Travel Advice

Likelihood of Avalanches

Avalanche Size and Distribution

5 Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human- triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

4 High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human- triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

Southern Kenai mountains; including the Seward zone (Lost Lake/Carter/Snug Harbor/etc): Heavy precipitation, strong winds and warm temperatures last week have added several feet of new snow to these areas. Cautious route-finding is recommended as avalanche conditions may still be dangerous.

Wind slabs:Loose surface snow combined with Easterly ridgetop winds in the 10-20mph range could form shallow wind slabs on leeward features. The snow may feel "upside down" with slightly stiffer snow over softer snow. Look for areas of pillowed or drifted snow and identify steep features like convexities or gullies where the snow may be more loaded. Triggering even a small wind slab could have high consequences in the wrong terrain. Blowing snow and shooting cracks will be obvious clues to look for today.

Loose snow: Yesterday small natural point releases were observed during the heat of the day as well as some human triggered sluff. The top 6” of surface snow is loose and may be easy to initiate and fast moving on steep features protected from the winds.

Cornices: Remember these unpredictable hazards can break farther back onto a ridge than expected and have the potential to trigger an avalanche on the slope below. Give cornices extra space and avoid being under them.

Glide avalanches: There is a new glide crack above the flats along Seattle Ridge, just looker's left of the up-track and Repeat Offender slide path. Avoid hanging out under this crack and any others you may see - these release without warning and are very destructive.

Sunshine: Today skies are expected to be partly sunny and solar warming may trigger loose snow avalanches in steep Southerly aspects. Sun combined with warm temptures could also make it easier to trigger a cornice or deeper instabilty (persistent slab) on Solar aspects.

Cross loading pattern along South facing gullies on the SE face of Seattle Ridge as well as scoured ridgeline in the foreground. A good example of where wind slabs may be tender.

Clear skies over the last two days have allowed more folks to push further into the mountains with no reports of avalanches being triggered since last weekend. Unfortunately poor structure is still a concern throughout our region and triggering a large propagating slab 2-3’deep is still possible. A weak layer of buried surface hoar and/or faceted snow remains a concern on all aspects and elevations surrounding Turnagain Pass and Girdwood. A dense slab sitting on this weak layer has been slowing adjusting making this problem more and more stubborn to trigger with time. This means the probability of triggering a large avalanche is decreasing, but the consequences remain high, should someone find a trigger spot. Trigger points are often where the slab is thinner, near rocks or scoured areas. Also keep in mind, these slabs can break above you, and release after the 3rd, 5th, or 10th person has been on a slope. The trickiest part about our current snowpack is how difficult it is to assess due to the spacial variability of the weak layer, the slab thickness, and even the bed surface in some places. Be aware that snow pits and stability tests may not be representative of the actual slope you are trying to assess. A helpful way to think about this problem is to consider the consequences of a slope if it slides and indentify terrain traps (gullies, cliffs, or trees below.) Then decide is it worth the risk. Remember the steeper the terrain the higher the likelihood for triggering.

In some places within our forecast zone at the bottom of the snowpack are various layers of facets with varying degrees of strength. In the Summit Lake zone and some areas in Girdwood Valley and Johnson Pass depth hoar has been found. The Valentines Day Storm cycle tested these layers with only a few avalanches occurring near the ground in (Girdwood Valley, and Summit Lake). Similar to the problem above these layer will be stubborn to trigger, but a possibility remains in places with this structure. The more likely scenario is where an avalanche occurring in the upper layers of the pack has the potential to step down and release the entire snowpack. If this does happen the volume will be large and could run long distances.

Mountain Weather

Yesterday overcast skies and light flurries in the morning were replaced with partly cloudy skies. Moderate Easterly winds (15-30mph) shifted late morning to more of a Westerly direction and decreased to 5-15mph. Temperatures were on the rise increasing from ~10F yesterday morning to ~20F overnight.

Clouds have moved back into our region this morning and temperatures will continue to rise as warm front moves in and may reach the low 30F’s by this afternoon. Skies may range from mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Westerly winds will shift again to the East and ridge tops are expected to be in the 10-20mph range. Precipitation is expected to start this evening favoring Anchorage and northward, with a possiblity of a mix of rain and snow for Turnagain Arm and the Kenai.

Friday expect a similar pattern with warm temps, light precipitation, and temperatures hovering around freezing (32F).

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am - 6am)

Temp Avg (F)

Snow (in)

Water (in)

Snow Depth (in)

Center Ridge (1880')

19

0

0

68

Summit Lake (1400')

18

1

.1

34

Alyeska Mid (1700')

22

trace

.05

65

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am - 6am)

Temp Avg (F)

Wind Dir

Wind Avg (mph)

Wind Gust (mph)

Sunburst (3812')

16

Var.

7

29

Seattle Ridge(2400')

19

n/a

n/a

n/a

This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area (this advisory does not apply to highways, railroads, or operating ski areas).

Riding status is not associated with avalanche danger. An area will be open to motorized use in accordance to the Forest Management Plan when snow coverage is adequate to protect underlying vegetation. Backcountry hazards including avalanche hazard are always present regardless of the open status of motorized use areas.

(Updated: Dec 18, 2018 )

AREA

STATUS

WEATHER AND RIDING CONDITIONS

Glacier District

Johnson Pass:

Open

Please stay on trail to avoid resource damage through Forested areas.

Placer River:

Closed

Closed

Skookum Drainage:

Closed

Closed

Turnagain Pass:

Closed

Closed November 21 due to inadequate snow conditions. #hopeforsnow

Twentymile:

Closed

Closed

Seward District

Carter Lake:

Open

Lost Lake Trail:

Open

Please stay on trail to avoid resource damage through Forested areas.

Primrose Trail:

Open

Please stay on trail to avoid resource damage through Forested areas.

Resurrection Pass Trail:

Closed

Closed for the 2018/19 season. Next season will be open to motorized use.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
This advisory provided by the Chugach National Forest, in partnership with Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.